Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ (108,116)	$ 38,430	$ (98,150)	$ 63,438
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale equity securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period	15,989	55,401	(31,434)	83,836
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	(3,061)	1,362	(10,087)	2,465
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale equity securities, net	12,928	56,763	(41,521)	86,301
Unrealized losses on interest rate hedge agreements:
Unrealized interest rate hedge losses arising during the period	(3,676)	(1,225)	(10,637)	(4,238)
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of interest expense included in net income	1,865	710	2,023	1,215
Unrealized gains on interest rate swap agreements, net	(1,811)	(515)	(8,614)	(3,023)
Unrealized foreign currency translation (losses) gains arising during the period	(1,364)	(1,507)	2,164	(7,778)
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income	7,028	0	7,028	9,236
Unrealized foreign currency translation (losses) gains arising during the period	5,664	(1,507)	9,192	1,458
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	16,781	54,741	(40,943)	84,736
Comprehensive income	(91,335)	93,171	(139,093)	148,174
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,476)	(237)	(7,506)	(883)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.’s stockholders	$ (94,811)	$ 92,934	$ (146,599)	$ 147,291